We live on an increasingly more connected planet. In a world as diverse as the one in which we live, I believe we need to aware of the content on our websites. While I believe it is impossible to know with any certainty how our site's content will be received by every culture, I think we have a responsibility to be sensitive to potential differences. If the site is culturally significant, if it's purpose is to provide an opinion or a different perspective on topics that could be interpreted differently by different cultures, than I believe we have a responsibility to be careful in how those views are presented. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Be honest about the bias of the site. Letting people know where you are coming from can help in the acceptance of the material presented.
2. Be clear as to any sources you use. Be specific on where you got the information. If it is from printed material, give enough information so the reader can verify the source. If you are quoting someone, try and find a reference that cab be verified, ie another website.
3. Be sensitive to how the information is presented. When you are giving an opinion, state that it is your opinion. Don't make it sound like everyone agrees with you just because you believe a certain way on a particular topic.
Unfortunately, we live in an increasingly radical world where people will present ideas as absolute truth without supporting documentation. People believe very strongly about issues that affect them, and as much as we would like to think that some of these issues can be resolved with calm dialogue, it is not reasonable, in my opinion, to expect that to change in the near future.
I will post some websites that I believe are contrary to responsible content in the near future.
I also think it's important to make sure the content on our website is sensitive to other cultures, but in the politically correct world we live in today, I feel as if you can't say anything with offending somebody. That is why I agree when you say one should make it clear what their beliefs are on the site so that people konw where you are coming from.
ReplyDelete